Calculating machine



June 10, 1924- 1,497,277

c. L. JOHNSTON CALCULAT ING MACH 1 NE Filed Sept. 28. 1921 2 Sheets-$hel 1 WITNESS QZWZW.

' ATTORNE YS June 10, 1924- C. L. JOHNSTON mum-nae woman Filed Sept. 28 I92] 2 sheetssheet 2 III III GLJ ZEJ S QEN.

q BY

W GEM {flaw 4 ATTORNE Y5 Patented June 10, 1924.

PATENT OFFICE.

UNITED STATES CLARENCE L. JOHNSTON, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR'TO MARCHANT CAL- CULATING MACHINE COMPANY, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

CALCULATING MACHINE.

Application filed September 28, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE L. JOHN- STON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Oakland, county of Alameda, and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Calculating Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to calculating machines in which the figure discs of the registering mechanism are arranged on a car riage, which is disposed in parallel displaceable relation to the actuating mechanism, for the purpose of making direct action of the units of the actuating mechanism on figure discs of different denomination pos sible. For this purpose, the carriage is movable longitudinally in a step-by-step motion and the present invention relates to means for shifting the carriage longitudinally, either in a unit step motion or ina-free motion, in either direction.

An object of the invention is to provide a carriage moving mechanism which is posi tive and practice. y noiseless in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carriage moving mechanism which prevents overthrow of the carriage.

A further object of 'theinvention is to provide a carriagemoving mechanism in which the pressure applied to move the carriage is exerted in'the direction in which the carriage is to be moved. p

The invention possesses'other advantageous features, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth at lengtli'in'the following description, where I shall outline in full, that form of the invention which I have selected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. In said drawings I have shown one form of the invention and a modification thereof, but it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to such forms, since the invention, as set forth in the claims, may be embodied in a plurality of other forms.

Referring to said drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of the base of a calculating machine with the carriage mounted thereon and the shift of my invention mounted thereon.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the shifting mechanism with"the front plate removed, showing the carriage.

Serial No. 503,903.

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the line 33, of Fig. 2.

d Fig. 4 is a plan view of one of the locking Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section through a modified form of apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line (i6, Fi 5.

Figs. 7, S and 9 are diagranunatic representations showing the locking dogs in their different positions.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the shift shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig.11 is an elevation of one form of the calculating machine provided with the shift of Fig. 10.

The calculating machine shown in the drawings, and which is one type of machine to which my invention is applicable, comprises a base 2 on which the actuating mechanism is arranged and on which the carriage 3 is slidably mounted in longitudinal displaceable relation, so that the-figure wheels of the registering mechanism on the carriage may be moved into eooperative relation with different units of the actuating or counting mechanism. The carriage is movable in a step-by-step movement, the length of each stop being equal to the spacing of the corresponding parts of the figure discs, so thatthe figure discs are moved at each step to bring the discs of the next denomination into co-operative relation with the respective actuating units.

The shifting device of my invention, may be fixed on the'base and engage the carriage, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 or it may be fixed on the carriage and engage the base, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, whichever may be the more desirable. In the operation of calculating machines, the carriage is shiftable in either direction either in a step-hystep movement or freely, depending upon the nature of the calculating being performed and means are provided for permitting either of these motions being obtained. It is essential in the step-by-step movement, that the carriage be moved a unit distance only, at each operation of the shifting mechanism and since this movement is performed rapidly by the operator, it is essential that there be no o erthrow of the carriage, that is, that the carriage move only one unit distance. The shift of my invention is particularly designedto prevent overthrow, re-

gardless of the; speed at which the carriage is shifted.

For this purpose I employ twospring pressed dogs or latches, mounted on one element, either the carriage or the base, which co-operate with a rack on the complementary element, either the base or the car riage. The dogs are arranged so that one of them springs into a notch in the rack while the movement of the carriage through the unit distance is taking place, so that it is in position to arrest the motion of the carriage at the end of the unit distance of travel. At this point, the second dog springs into engagement with a shoulder on the rack preventing any backward movement of the carriage, thus holding the carriage accurately positioned. lhe dogs may be arranged adjacent each other, so that they both spring into the same notch in the rack or they may be spaced apart so that they spring into spaced notches.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the'dogs are spaced apart and are mounted on the'base of the machine and cooperate with a rack on thecarriage. Formed on 01' secured to theearriage- 3, preferably along-its lower front edge, is a stop rack-4 composedof rectangular teeth 5, preferably'fof' le'ss i width' than the notches betweenthe teeth; -The tooth pitch, or the distance between the center lines of two adjac'eiit' teeth is-equ'al to the-unit distance of the'step-bystep movement. Pivote-d to the base and disposedbelox'vthe rack 4t are two spring pressed dogs'ti and T, normally pressed upward into engagement with the rack'.-' The dogs areso positioned that normally, one dog 6 lies'in engagementwithone side of one to'o'tlr and=the.other dog.7 lies in engagement with :the other side of another tooth, so tliat..-the carriage is firmly locked and securelyheld'in position by .the two dogs, the dog fif'preventing movement to the rlght'and the dog 7'preventing movement to the left. -The dogs are provided with oppositely inclined or bevelled faces 8, so that each dog operates to prevent movement in one direction onlyft-hat is, when dog 6 is depressed. the carriage may be freely moved to the rightzaud when dog 7 is depressed, it may be freely moved to-the left. The dogs are provided with knobs 6 and 7 lying in front of the front plate 9, sothat either dog may be depressed to permit free movement of the carriage in the desired. direction. Duringisuch movement the other dog rides under the teeth on therack 4.

-Means are provided for moving the carriage longitudinally in either direction in a step-by-step movement. Pivoted intermediate their ends to the frontplate 9 are two levers 13'-14 co-operatively engaging the dogs Sand 7,;cach lever being movable in the lever,

one direction only from its normal position. At their lower ends the levers engage spring pressed retreating pins 15 disposed longi tudinally in the dogs. The pins are bevelled on their rear faces and the lower ends of the levers are bevelled on their front faces, so that in one direction of movement the lever depresses the dog out of engagement with the rack and in the other direction of moven'ient, passes'and pushes back the pin without depressing the dog. When the lever ill, for instance, is moved clocluvisc, the dog 6 is depressed and, as the lever moves backward to normal position, the dog remains immovable. The upper ends of the levers are held spread apart in their normal positions by a compression spring 16 interposed between the upper ends of the levers and surrounding a bar 17 passing loosely through eyes on the levers.

Means are provided for causing movement of either lever to move the carriage a unit distance in the direction of movement of the upper end of the lever. Pivoted to each lever, adjacent the upper end thereof. is a downwardly spring'pressed finger 18 which engages the upwardly faced advancing rack 19 on the carriage, the pitch of the teeth of the rack being equal to the unit. dista'nce' of movement. \Vhen the lever is moved from its normal position, the holdin dog is released, the finger engages an moves the rack and the holding dog springs back into engagement with its rack prior to the end of the unit movement. Disposed between the fingers is a finger guide rail 21 having inclined portions 22 over which the ends of thefin ers ride during part of the movement of the levers. On the forward movement of a. lever, the finger rides down over the-guide rail into engagement with the rack 19 and on the backward movement of the finger rides up on the guide rail, out of engagement. with the rack, so that normally the fingers are not engaged withthe advancingrac The levers are moved to release and advance the carriage, by a slide plate 23 mounted on the front plate 9. The slide plate is provided with a flange overlying the levers, which flange is provided with a slot through which the upper ends of the levers extend and against. the ends of which slot the levers hear. The slide is provided on its front face with one or more tongues or projections 24. which are engaged by the finger of the operator for moving the can riage. Movement of the slide to the right, rocks lever 13, depresses dog 6 and advances the carriage a step toward the right. and movement of the slide to the left similarly causes movement of the carriage one step to the left.

In the construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the carriage shifting device is mounted on and moves with the carriage, and while the specific construction of the device is difien ent from that shown in the prior figures, its generic construction, mode of operation and advantages are substantially identical. In this embodiment, the stop rack 26 is tixed to the base of the machine and is provided with teeth 27 having the same pitch as the rack 4. The rack 26 is engaged by two spring pressed dogs 28 and 29, having bevelled up per faces and arranged in juxtaposition, so that they both seat in one notch in the rack, the dog 28 preventing movement of the carriage to the left and the dog 29 preventing movement to the right. In operation, actuation of the shift ren'loves both dogs from the rack and releases them so that they spring into the position indicated in Fig. 7. Movement of the shift toward the right permits the dog 29 to spring into the notch between teeth, as shown in Fig. 8, so that it is in position to engage the next tooth and halt the movement of the carriage. \Vhen the carriage reaches the end of its unit move ment toward the right, the dog 28 springs into the notch, as shown in Fig. 9, locking the carriage against movement to the left, so that the carriage is accurately locked in position against movement in either direction.

Means are provided for simultaneously depressing the dogs and 'shiftingthe carriage by the application of pressure in the direction in which it is desired to move the carriage. Secured to the carria e at the front thereof, is a casing 31, in which are mounted spring retracted levers 3:233, the upper ends of which extend through and engage the ends of a slot 34 in the slide 35 mounted on the casing. Pivoted to the levers 3233 are latches 36 37, which normally rest on pins 38-39 on the bent levers 41-42, pivoted to the casing. The lower arms of the levers 4142 overlie the horizontal arms of the dogs 28 and 29, so that when either lever 41 or 42 is rocked on its pivot, the dogs are depressed from engagement with the stop rack. The levers 41 and 42 are rocked on their pivots by engagement of the shoulders 43- 44 on the latches 3637 with the pins 38 39 on the levers. J ournalled on the carriage intermediate the levers 4142, is a star wheel 45, which lies in the path of the latches 36 and 37, so that as the lever 32. for instance, is moved to the right, the end of the latch 36 engages the star wheel which is rotated by movement of the carriage. Dur ing its rotation, the next. lower tooth on the star wheel presses upward on the latch 36 and moves the shoulder thereon out of engagement with the pin 38 on the lever 41, thus releasing the lever and the dogs. The same action occurs when the lever 33 is rocked to the left. Secured to the shaft of the star wheel, is a gear 46, rotatable with the star wheel and engaging an advancing rack 47 on the base of the machine, so that the carriage is moved in time with rotation of the star wheel.

Assuming that it is desirable to move the carriage a unit distance to the ri ht, pressure in that direction is exerte on the tongue 48 of the slide 35. This shifts the slide to the right, rocks lever 32 and lever 38, depressing the dogs 28 and 29 so that the exerted pressure moves the carriage. The initial movement of the carriage rotates the star wheel sufficiently to release the latch 36 from the pin 38, permitting the dogs to spring upwardly, into substantially the position shown in Fig. 7 and the further movement of the carriage causes the dogs to assume the positions shown in Figs. 8 and 9. When it is desired to shift the carriage freely in either direction, the pressure of the finger is exerted directly against the upwardly projecting end of the proper lever 41 or 42, depending upon the desired direction of movement.

I claim:

1. In a calculating machine, a frame, a carriage movable on said frame and means for locking the carriage in fixed posit-ion comprising a rack and two independently movable dogs normally in engagement'with said rack.

2; In a=calculating machine, a frame,- a carriage movable on said frame and means fonlocking the carriage in fixed'position comprising a rack and 'two independently movable dogs adapted to simultaneously and positively engage different teeth on said rack.

3. In a calculating machine; a frame,- a

carriage movable on said frame-and mans for locking thecarriage" in fiitedposition comprising a rackw-and two independently movable dogs movable successively-into engagement with said rack and both normally enga ing said rack.

4. in a calculating machine, a frame, a carriage movable on said frame and means for locking the carriage in fixed position comprising a rack and-two independently movable dogs movable into engagement with said rack, one of said dogs operatin to. halt movement of the carriage in one direction and the other operating to prevent movement of the carriage inthe oppositedirection.

5. In a-calculating machine, a frame, a carriage movable on said frame and means for locking the carriage in fixedposition comprising a rack. a dog movable into engagement with the rack to halt movement in one direction and a second dog movable subsequently intoengagement withthe rack to prevent movement in the opposite direction both dogs being normally in engagement with the rack.

6. In a calculating machine, a frame, a

carriage movable on said frame, a rack cooperating with said carriage, two independently movable dogs co-operating with said rack, one of said dogs preventing movement of the carriage to the right and the other preventing movement to the left, means operative by the application of force to move the carriage in one direction to remove from the rack the dog, preventing movement in that direction and means operative by the movement of the carriage for releasing said dog to permit it to engage the rack before the carriage reaches the end of its movement.

7. In a calculating machine, a frame, a carriage movable on said frame, a rack cooperating with said carriage, a spring pressed dog engaging a tooth in said rack to prevent movenient of the carriage in one direction and a spring pressed dog engaging another tooth in said rack to prevent movement of the carriage in the opposite direction, whereby the carriage is held firmly against. movement in either direction.

8. In a calculating machine, a frame, a carriage movable on said frame, a rack cooperating with said carriage, a spring pressed dog engaging a tooth in said rack to prevent movement of the carriage in one direction and a. spring pressed dog. engaging another tooth in said rack to, prevent movementof the carriage in. the opposite direction, whereby the carriage is held firmly against movement in either direction; and means for simultaneously moving bothdogs from engagement with said rack ,whereby the carriage may be moved freely in either direction.

9. In a calculating machine, ,a frame, a carriage movable onsaid frame a rack cooperatin with said carriage, a spring pressed ievelled dog. engaging a tooth on said rack to prevent movement. of. the carriage to the left only, a second spring pressed bevelled dog engaging a tooth on said rack to prevent movement of. the carriage to the ri ht only and'means for removing one 0 said dogs from the rack whereby the carriage may be moved freely in one direction.

10. In a calculating machine, a frame, a carria e movable on said frame, a rack cooperating witlrsaid carriage, two spring pressed dogs engaging said rack, each ,dog operating to prevent movement of the carriage in one direction only, a lever associated with each dog for moving the dog out of engagement with the rack and means on the lever co-operating with the carriage for simultaneously moving the carriage.

11. In a calculating machine, a frame, a carriage movable on said frame, a rack associated with said carriage, a dog engaging said rack to prevent movement of the carriage in one direction, a second dog engaging the rack to prevent movement of the carriage in the opposite direction, a lever co-operating with each dog to move the dog from engagement with the rack and means on each lever for moving the carriage in one direction, the dog being released from the lever beforethe lever reaches the end of its stroke, to permit the dog to engage the rack.

12. In a calculating machine, a frame, a carriage movable on said frame, a rack associated with said carriage, a dog engaging said rack to prevent movement of the carriage in one direction, a second dog engaging the rack to prevent movement of the carriage in the opposite direction, a lever cooperating with each dog, movement of a lever inthe direction in which the carriage is to be moved serving to remove the associated dog from the rack and to release the dog to permit it to engage the rack before the lever reaches the end of its stroke and means on the lever for moving the carriage.

13. In a calculating machine, a frame, a carriage movable on said frame, a rack associated with said carriage, a dog engaging said rack to prevent movement of the carriage in one direction, a second dog engaging the rack. to prevent movement of the carriage in the opposite direction, a lever co-operating with each dog, movement of a lever in the direction in which the carriage is to be moved servingto remove the associated dog from the rack and to release the dog to. permit it to engage the rack before the lever reaches the end of its stroke, a second rack associated with said carriage and means on the leverarranged to engage said second rack. to movethe carriage.

14. Ina calculating machine, a frame, a carriage movable on said frame, a rack associated with said carriage, a dog engaging said rack to prevent movement of the carriage in one direction, a second dog engaging the rack to prevent movement of the carriage in the opposite direction, a lever 00- operating with each dog, movement of a lever in the direction in which the carriage is to be moved serving to remove the associated dog from the rack and to release the dog to permit it to engage the rack before the lever reaches the end of its stroke, a second rack associated with said carriage, means on the lever arranged to engage said second rack to move the carriage and an actuating means movable in opposite directions from a normal position co-operating with said levers.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

CLARENCE L. JOHNSTQN. 

